J.W. “Sonny” Goodspeed

1937 - 2024

J.W. “Sonny” Goodspeed was born September 29th, 1937 in Okemah, OK, to parents Buck Goodspeed and his wife Decie, and passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 86 years old.

Sonny was raised on a farm between Okemah and Wetumka, Oklahoma, and graduated from Wetumka High School, class of 1955. Born into a family that ran the professional rodeo circuit throughout the country, Sonny grew to love calf roping and roped in rodeos in Oklahoma and surrounding states. He truly loved the rodeo life.

He married Brenda Lovelady July 4, 1958. Together they had three children - Lori, David and Lon. Sonny and his family moved to Garber, Oklahoma in 1972. Throughout his life he worked on the pipeline, as a roughneck and after nearly 30 years, he retired from Champlin Petroleum Company.

Sonny was an avid quail hunter and always had a great bird dog. Sonny also enjoyed coaching peewee football and his sons’ baseball team. His love of games and sports included horseshoes, dominos, shuffleboard, pitch and pool, with which he was very good. Sonny also played in bowling league and played softball in the Champlin Petroleum softball team.

Sonny was a handsome and witty man with blonde hair and blue eyes. His good friends always considered him a hoot. A man amongst men. Always cutting up and making people laugh. Sonny was very playful, with his wit and charm he could work a room. Sonny always loved a good challenge, roping for a bet he would usually win.

Preceded in death are his parents, Buck and Decie, and his sister Janice King. Greeting him in heaven, his son, Lon Goodspeed.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Lori Eikel and David Goodspeed, his sister, Judy Goodspeed and nephews Mike and Jimmy Keith King, his grandchildren Justin Eikel and family, Carley Ford and family, Chealsea Kawcak and family, Kimber Goodspeed and son Lane, Kutter Goodspeed, daughter-in-law Debby Goodspeed, nine great-grandchildren, along with many extended family and friends. He will be missed by all that loved him dearly.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, 2 p.m at the Garber Cemetery. In case of inclement weather the service may be moved to the Bread of Life on Main Street in Garber.